Jiko Dinner Review
*This review has information from several gluten free dining experience that took place in April 2022, December 2022, and January 2023. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.
Dinner at Jiko: The Cooking Place
Jiko: The Cooking Place is a signature table service restaurant located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. During the Disney Parks & Resorts closures, Jiko remained closed for quite a while and reopened in early 2022. The restaurant has long been a favorite of ours, and we were very excited to finally be back for a meal at Jiko a few months after it reopened.
Atmosphere
Jiko’s theme and decor encompasses everything we love about Disney design and especially the design at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s warm and inviting with unique touches that are distinctively Disney.
Jiko Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The twin wood-burning ovens in the open show kitchen act as the centerpieces of this restaurant and help set the mood for a restaurant that features subtle light changes over the course of your meal to reflect the African sunset.
Jiko Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
No matter where you are seated in Jiko, you’ll get to experience the theme and decor.
Jiko Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
We love the seats located near the windows of the restaurant that overlook a small pond and have a great view of the show kitchen.
Jiko Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The seats here are so cozy, and on two of our three visits, we were seated in this area. They are the perfect spot for watching the sunset outside and inside the restaurant.
The Food
Like most restaurants owned and operated by Disney, Jiko does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can also always speak to a chef directly if you have questions about the menu, including modifications, or have special dietary needs not covered by the allergy-friendly menu. On our three visits, we spoke to a chef on one occasion and ordered directly through our server on the other two occasions.
Jiko - Painted Wolf Wine / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
If you enjoy wine, you’re in for a treat at Jiko. They have one of the largest collections of South African wines outside of South Africa. I have had several different red wines during our various visits and all of them have been really wonderful. I recommend asking your server for recommendations or to look at the suggested pairings marked on the menu.
Jiko - Old Fashioned / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon enjoys many of the cocktails at Jiko including their version of an Old-Fashioned.
Jiko - Allergy-Friendly Bread Service / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For the bread service, they offer gluten free and allergy-friendly Bloomfield Farms brand rolls along with a whipped goat cheese butter. The is one of Brandon’s favorite butters on Disney property, because he really enjoys goat cheese. It’s not really my favorite, so I would recommend if you’re dairy free or not a fan of goat cheese to ask for non-dairy butter or olive oil.
Jiko - Wild Boar Tenderloin / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The appetizer that we almost always get at Jiko and recommend to other guests is the Braaied Wild Boar Tenderloin with Creamy Pap, Tomato Chakalaka, and Herb-smoked Oil. There is also a gluten free tapioca crisp on the top as a garnish. This is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. It does contain dairy in the pap.
The flavors in this dish are incredible. The wild boar is always so flavorful and grilled to perfection. The richness of the boar pairs really well with the creamy pap and the chakalaka. We both everything about this dish and highly recommend it as a starter.
Jiko - Beef Short Rib / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
On our first visit after Jiko reopened, I ordered the Botswanan Seswaa Short Rib with Hominy, Sea Peas, Mushrooms, and Carrots. This dish is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Sesame Allergies. It does contain dairy.
As far as dishes go, I liked this dish but didn’t love it. I found the short rib to be a bit too fatty for more personal preference, but everything was flavorful and tasty. I especially liked the hominy and peas served with this dish. It’s not one that I’d get again, but if you like short ribs, I would recommend it.
Jiko - Filet Mignon (Mac & Cheese NOT Gluten Free) / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
On all of our visits, Brandon got the same entree — the Oak-grilled Filet Mignon. The dish is marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. It was also made safe for Brandon’s chicken & turkey allergies (the sauce does not contain chicken sauce) and cabbage allergy. Because Brandon is sensitive to dishes in the cabbage family, we have been able to swap the side vegetable out for a safe option, like carrots.
If you’re gluten free, you can get a modified version of this dish — without the mac & cheese. They do not have a GF mac & cheese option, but they did tell me that I could get another side in its place if I were interested in this dish.
Brandon always raves about this filet and the mac & cheese. If you’re a filet fan, we would both suggest this, as it’s consistently one of the best filets on property.
Jiko - Sustainable Fish / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
On another visit, I opted for something different. I got the Sustainable Fish with Winter-spiced Potato, Persimmon-Cranberry Greens, Citrus Yogurt, and Fruit Relish. This is marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Peanut/Tree Nut, Shellfish, Sesame, and Soy Allergies. It does contain dairy. If you’re DF, this would be a dish that could likely be modified by swapping out the potatoes and the yogurt.
I really liked this dish for something different and something lighter than the heavy beef dishes that I’ve had on other visits. The fish was well cooked and seasoned, and I really enjoyed the sautéed greens. I would definitely get this dish again and would recommend it for seafood lovers.
Jiko - Holiday Special Entree with Ribeye Steak / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
During the Christmas holiday, we had dinner at Jiko, and I ordered the holiday special. This was a limited time entree served during Christmas and New Year’s. It included a bone-in Ribeye, green beans with almonds & lemon, duck-fat roasted potatoes, roasted radicchio, and a cherry wine sauce.
It was marked Gluten Free and safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanuts, and Soy Allergies. This did contain dairy in the green beans, but our server actually mentioned how easy this dish was modify for special dietary needs.
This was by far my favorite dish that I had of our three visits. I’m a little bummed it was a limited time menu option, but I think it’s on our list for holiday reservations during the 2023 season. The ribeye itself was really well cooked and had so much flavor. The duck-fat roasted potatoes were heavenly, and seasoned so well. I also loved the grilled radicchio which did have a bitter taste but paired well with the richness of the rest of the dish. And, you can’t go wrong with sautéed green beans. If you’re at Jiko during a holiday and this is on the menu, get it!
Jiko - Kilimanjaro / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
For dessert, every single visit, I have to get the Kilimanjaro with Single-Origin Ghanaian Dark Chocolate Mousse, Pistachio Financier, Pink Peppercorn Meringue, Cocoa Nib Crunch, and Ras el Hanout Pineapples. This dish is marked Gluten Free and safe for Fish/Shellfish, and Sesame Allergies. It does contain dairy. If you’re dairy free, I would recommend the African Drum 'Beets' dessert which is gluten free, dairy free & vegan.
The dessert is hands down one of my favorite on Disney property. I love everything about this dessert — from the fluffy meringue with a hint of peppercorn to the ras al hanout and pineapples. It’s got a lot going on, and I have to get this every time we eat at Jiko. The flavors in this dessert are unique and might not be for everyone, but it’s one I recommend trying at least once. The flavors might surprise you…in a good way!
Jiko - After Dinner Coffee / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Brandon is not a big dessert fan, so he often skips dessert in favor of a coffee. But, he has ordered some dessert drinks, like this African inspired Irish coffee style drink. We always recommend if you have special dietary needs to double-check the liquors, especially in Brandon’s for things like nut, to make sure they are safe for you.
If you want to hear more about our experience at Jiko: The Cooking Place, check out the vlog we did for our YouTube channel for more information.
Overall
We are always so impressed by the quality of the food, the theme, and service whenever we dine at Jiko. If you’re looking for a signature dining location at Disney World, it definitely ranks as one of our favorites. We always enjoy the variety of options and the relaxed atmosphere. If you have special dietary needs, we have found the restaurant to be very accommodating and easy to adjust for our dietary needs and preferences. We can’t wait to dine at Jiko again!
Have you been to Jiko: The Cooking Place? What was your experience dining there?